Diabetes - Amputation (2 case studies)

Case Study A: Treatment of diabetic angiopathy (diabetic foot, ulcers and gangrene)

Overview

Patient, male 67 years old, was admitted in the year 2005 for treatment with diagnosis of post amputation gangrene of the right thigh. The patient was amputated on the right leg above the knee joint. At the time of admission the condition of the patient was severe; the patient had ESR levels of 80, leucocytes =26, severe pain in the amputated part of the leg and local lymphadenopathy with considerable increase in size. The size of the lesion (gangrene) was deep and had large pus, bad smell and the patient was in an intoxicated or confused state.

Brief history

The patient was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 about 16 years ago and was prescribed a combined therapy of insulin injections and oral tablets - Glucophage 500mg three times per day. About a year ago, before coming to our institute for treatment, the patient was diagnosed with arterial block on the right leg. It was decided to undergo a surgical venoarterial graft transplant procedure with the graft segment to be harvested from the left healthy leg of the patient. The procedure was carried out but was a failure and the patient developed gangrene at the site of surgery, resulting in the said amputation. Antibiotic therapy for gangrene treatment was not effective and the amputation was not able to stop the gangrene from spreading to the right femoral region (thigh). The patient was discharged from the surgical department with conservative treatment and a poor prognosis.

Soon after the patient was brought to our institute where he was administered ozone therapy.

Treatment

1st Day: 20 sessions of high dosage ozone IV two times per day. On the site of the gangrenous lesion, topical ozone bags were applied to aid in faster wound healing. This ozone bag method was used in order to heal the outside pus and infection which had spread practically to the bone. For this reason, the ozone dosage administered was also increased by 200%.

In 4 weeks of treatment initiation: In a month’s time, there was visible tissue regeneration, wound healing from the lack of pus and appearance of healthy muscle mass and tone. In 4 months: Due to this visible recovery and the fact that the root cause of the infection was not there, 2 sessions of IV ozone and topical ozone bags were administered per week in order to increase the oxygen flow in the area. 

Results For Case Study A:

Treatment Summary 

A leg prosthesis was provided to the patient and he now walks, drives a car and motorcycle. His life has returned to normal to the maximum extent possible. 

Five years after this therapy, the patient receives 1 session of ozone therapy  per month as prophylaxis for the left leg from diabetic angiopathy. Presently the patient’s condition is satisfactory.

Case Study B: Treatment of diabetic angiopathy B

Personal data, medical history:

Patient B, an 83 year old male visited our clinic with diagnosis of gangrene (diabetic foot) of the right part of his right foot. His prescribed medication were, Glucofage 500mg. 1tab per 3 times in a day and Insulin (short acting). 

Physical status before treatment:

The area for treatment was an extensive, postoperative wound where it had a substantial amount of pus and awful smell coming out of it. 

Treatment description:

IV ozone in conjunction with topical ozone bags in order to treat the area of the wound. The treatment procedure had to be designed with caution due to the advanced age of the patient.

Results For Case Study B:

Physical status after treatment:

Patient continued treatment until full recovery of the foot. Now the patient undergoes a conservative prophylactic treatment programme.